Storyline still rules 'Mass Effect 3'

Last weekend, someone asked me to describe the "Mass Effect" series of games in one sentence. I thought a minute and replied, "'Mass Effect" is the "Star Wars" of video games."

The trilogy, from acclaimed developer Bioware, might never yield LEGO sets, action figures and terrible prequels -- seriously, please, no terrible prequels -- but in terms of epic, galaxy-spanning adventure, "Mass Effect" more than lives up to the comparison.

Over the course of all three games, players are allowed to create their own version of Commander Shepherd, a character committed to keeping order in a galaxy overflowing with chaos.

What: "Mass Effect 3"

From: EA Games

Rated: M

Who's it for: Those wishing to experience the conclusion to the epic RPG trilogy

Console: Xbox 360/PS3/PC

Grade: A

Your own Shepherd can be male or female and, as with the best role-playing games, will make decisions affecting relationships with other characters, and the story as a whole.

Whether righteous or morally bankrupt, Shepherd must face the same overarching challenges: becoming a Spectre; fighting the Collectors; and, in the latest installment, returning to Earth to face the Reapers.

It's been 50,000 years since the Reapers last plagued the galaxy. During this time, the races that share the expanses of space have developed their own allegiances and enemies. Now, facing a shared threat, Shepherd must persuade them to work together lest more than humanity be lost.

If you didn't guess, story still rules "Mass Effect 3." The depth of the various plotlines will have fans of series like "Game of Thrones" and "Lost" salivating. If keeping up with a dozen relationships between friends and foes is your thing, this game won't disappoint.

Those who aren't compelled by the game's role-playing aspects can instead focus on the action. You still need to partake in conversations to guide the story, but you don't have to dive in completely.

However, putting the RPG aspects of the game on the back burner limits the game's impact. This isn't "Gears of War," and the story keeps the action interesting. Play it as you will, but be aware of what you might be missing.

No matter how you choose to play, once you get to the action, you need some skill to survive.

Enemy artificial intelligence is sharp. Your foes work together to overwhelm you, not just with firepower, but with their tactics. When you find yourself flanked or cut off from support, you'll need some solid strategy -- and a good bit of skill -- to overcome threats.

In "Mass Effect 3," your foes work together to overwhelm you, not just with firepower, but with their tactics. When you find yourself flanked or cut off from support, you'll need some solid strategy -- and a good bit of skill -- to overcome threats. (EA Games image)

Fortunately, the AI for your teammates is equally strong, so you won't face the onslaught alone.

Of course the graphics and sounds live up to the series' high standards. Though the game's look and feel aren't a marked improvement from "Mass Effect 2," fans won't be disappointed.

"Mass Effect 3" features one significant addition to the series: multiplayer.

While completely ancillary to the single-player mission, multiplayer gives players an opportunity to earn more experience and explore a portion of the "Mass Effect" universe with friends.

At this time, multiplayer is limited to a single mode with six stages. Much like the Horde mode from "Gears of War," players must face waves of enemies that only have destruction in mind.

Multiplayer adds its share of excitement to the game, but it cannot hold a candle to the single-player offerings. It doesn't fail, but it feels out of place, and developers should have postponed it to the franchise's next inevitable installment.

Another addition, exclusive to the Xbox 360 version, is support for the Kinect peripheral.

There's a certain novelty to issuing voice commands in the game, but it wears off quickly, leaving a game best played with a standard controller.

Overall, "Mass Effect 3" concludes the trilogy in grand fashion. And though not required, I recommend players grab the first two installments before giving this one a try. This trilogy deserves to be experienced in its entirety.

New coordinator pushes Buffs to work, play at level he expectsJim Leavitt has discovered this much about his new defense at Colorado: He has some talent with which to work, but his players need to put it in another gear. Full Story

New coordinator pushes Buffs to work, play at level he expectsJim Leavitt has discovered this much about his new defense at Colorado: He has some talent with which to work, but his players need to put it in another gear. Full Story